RASC eNews

Another of our Honorary Members has passed today. Leif Robinson, for many years Editor of Sky & Telescope magazine, died this morning. See the tribute from his colleagues at Sky & Telescope.

A Dozen Bright Dots

There is something about cold winter nights that make the stars shine a bit brighter than usual. Could it be the lack of haze – the kind we experience on sultry July and August nights? Or could it be the fact we can only last for a short period of time in the extreme cold. These are all valid reasons but the fact of the matter is Orion the Hunter and its neighbouring constellations represent a dozen of the brightest stars in the winter sky.

Big Horns, Little Horns

Of the 88 constellations that divide our dear skies, 40 portray the starry outline of animals. Some appear warm and cuddly like Lepus the Hare or the majestic winged horse Pegasus while others seemed wild and ferocious like Ursa Majoris. At this time of year none is more dangerous than Taurus the Bull. With its prominent V shaped horns, thanks to the Hyades cluster located 150 light years from us, mythology paints the picture of the bull taking on Orion the Hunter in battle. The entire cluster spans some five degrees across with the prominent first magnitude star named Aldebaran.

Recent changes in National Office and tentative marketing and membership initiatives we are looking for a couple of members interested in participating in the development of the new RASC Marketing, Promotions, and Membership services.

Please contact Chris Weadick (MAP Chair) with any questions and request to help form part of the new RASC Strategy!

Thanks in advance
Chris Weadick
MAP Chair
chris.weadick @ gmail.com